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NORTH MANCHESTER - While health officials determined the risk of contracting bacterial meningitis is not increased by attending or participating in high school athletics, Maconaquah High School canceled its girls basketball game Thursday with Manchester High School.
This year, Manchester High School has had two cases of bacterial meningitis and one case of viral meningitis. The two students with bacterial meningitis died.
Manchester Schools Superintendent Diana Showalter said other than Maconaquah's canceling of Thursday's game, the only other school events affected were games canceled shortly after the death of junior Kyle Music and on the day of his funeral. Those were canceled out of respect for Music and because athletes were not mentally able to play, not because of health concerns.
Manchester boys basketball team will play Southwood tonight and the girls team will play Southwood Saturday; both games are at Southwood.
"We have no idea why Maconaquah chose not to play," Showalter said. She said the school has clearance from health officials for the games to go ahead.
Maconaquah High School Athletic Director Dave Wolferst today said the school canceled its game with Manchester because of the concerns of parents and in the best interest of the students.
"We thought it was best for our students and fans," he said.
Wolferst said while he hopes they can reschedule the game, that would be up to Manchester.
Showalter said she did not know if the game with Maconaquah would be rescheduled. At this time of year, finding a date and time to reschedule a game is difficult. The students do want to play the game, she said.
"We're going to take it as a forfeit," she said. A forfeit means Manchester automatically wins.
When asked how Manchester could prove the school was "safe" again, Wolferst said, "That's a good question. I don't know."
The last viral meningitis case, Wolferst said, caused a scare again.
"Three cases in less than four months is high," he said.
As for Manchester High School student reaction, Showalter said, "I think they were disappointed. They were confused because our students have done very well" with getting the facts about meningitis. They know more about meningitis than most people want to know, she said. "They're saying, 'We don't understand, we are not contagious.' I think they are angry. They wanted to play ball."
Maconaquah did not cancel the basketball game until mid-day Thursday.
Thursday, the Wabash County Health Office issued a press release saying officials met to "consider the perceived health concerns of our schools and communities regarding the recent case of bacterial meningitis. After consulting with local and state health officials ... it has been determined that the risk of contracting bacterial meningitis is not increased by attending or participating in school or community functions, including high school athletic events.
"Based on the medical advice received, all persons present at this meeting agreed to continue with the scheduled athletic events leading up to and including the Wabash County Basketball Tournament. Wabash County Health Officer Dr. Dean Gifford supports the decisions made by the school officials."
